Control mechanism for container handling machines



A. c. EVERETT 2,491,651 CONTROL MECHANIISM FOR CONTANR HANDLING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Smet 1 INVENTOR.

TTONEY Dec. 20, 1949 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 4Dec. 20, 1949 A. c. EVERETT CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINES Filed oct. 5, 1 945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. /4/-7ar QPe-frccf/n/e/@WL 5ml, @AMJ-Ju;

Dec. 20, 1949 A. c. EVERETT CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 Dec. 20, 1949 A C, EVERETT 2,491,651

CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINES Filed oct. 5, 1945 e sheets-sheet 4 V1 sa 16 .V 1. Q V f l `4 i@ 4 f f Il y @MA u Q @4 /ill M (l if@ ?0o INVENTOR.

f" o @Wwf- 16 Hl A y ,4MM f/amfm# Dec. 20, 1949 A. c. EVERETT 2,49L65 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINES Filed Oct. 5, 1945 6 Sheecs-Sheei 5 INVENTOR.

2 1 2?, 7 ,fg/7%?,- @fence-grew 2,491,651 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINES Filed Oct. 5, 1945 De. 20, 1949 A. c. EVERETT 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 LII 1N VEN TOR. @fvr @me i/che# HTTE/YEY Patented Dec. 20, 1949 CONTROL MECHANISM FOR CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINES Arthur Clarence Everett, Boston, Mass., assigner to Pneumatic Scale Corporation,

Limited,

Quincy, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 5, 1945, Serial No. 620,535

7 Claims. l

This invention relates to a control mechanism for a container handling machine.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved container handling machine having a container releasing mechanism in which provision is made for controlling the release of the containers into the machine in accordance with the absence or presence of containers at a point spaced from said releasing mechanism whereby to provide a small group or reservoir of containers in operative position to be released by said mechanism upon subsequent starting thereof, said control mechanism being arranged to permit the machine to continue in operation to clear the containers therefrom which are in process of being handled in the machine.

With this general object in view, and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the control mechanism for a container handling machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a container cleaning machine embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the lower portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front elevation of that portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged bottle capping machine embodying the present invention.

In general, the present invention contemplates a novel and improved control mechanism for a container handling machine such as a bottle cleaning, filling, capping or labeling machine which is provided with a container releasing orV registering mechanism arranged to release successive foremost containers in a contiguous line thereof into the machine in timed relation to the operation of the machine, the releasing member preferably comprising a rotary star-wheel having provision for entering between successive conn tainers when they are in contiguous relation.

In the operation of such machines, the containers are usually supplied to the machine manulally by an operator placing the containers on av continuously moving conveyer leading to the releasing mechanism, and, in practice, the containers are placed haphazardly or in irregular spaced relation on the conveyer. It is, therefore, preferred to run the conveyer at a faster rate of speed than the releasing mechanism so that in operation, when the containers are suppliedto the machine at a substantially uniform rate, the container coming into engagement with the releasing mechanism is held back slightly to permit the following containers to be brought together into contiguous relation by the continuously moving conveyer and into operative position to be engaged by successive points of the star-wheel during the continuous operation of the machine.

However, it was found in practice that at times there would be too great a space between successive containers to permit of them coming into contiguous relation so that such containers not being in operative position might be engaged at their sides by one of the points of the starwheel particularly when running flat sided or oval shaped containers thus causing a jam. This might occur many times during a days run since when a supply of containers is depleted some time may elapse before an additional supply is provided.

Prior to the present invention, in order to prevent such jamming it was the usual prac-tice of the operator to stop the entire machine until a new supply of containers could be provided and placed in operative position to be properly engaged by the releasing mechanism. Such procedure of shutting down and starting the entire machine each time a relatively short space lag occurred between containers greatly reduced the productive capacity of the machine andalso interrupted the supply to other machines in the line for performing subsequent operations upon the containers. It was furthermore undesirable to stop the machines with containers in process of being operated upon or handled by the machine with the operations thereon only partly completed.

In accordance with the present invention. provision is made for controlling the operation of the star-wheel in accordance with the absence or presence of containers at a point spaced from said star-wheel whereby to assure the retention of a small group or reservoir of containers in contiguous relation adjacent the star-whee'l when the latter is stopped as effected by a depletion of the containers bevond said spaced point so that upon the provision of a new supply of containers to effect starting of the star-wheel the small group will be in operative position to be engaged and released thereby, said control being arranged to permit continuous operation of the machine to clear the containers in process of being handled and to continue the supply to subsequent machines in the line. Thus, the interruptions in production formerly caused by stopping and star-t'- ing the entire machine to prevent a jani at the star-wheel when an appreciable lag or space oc.- curs between containers is eliminated, the starwheel only being stopped and Started in accordance with the supply of containers, and proper registration of successive containers being assured.

Referring now to the drawing-a and particularly to Figs. l, 2 and 3, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a rotary bottle cleaning machine of the type illustrated and describedmin the United States patent to A. C. Everett. No. 2,354,308, issued July 25 1944.` As herein shown, suchv container cleaning machine includes a rotary carrier I provided with a plurality of radially arranged cleaning nozzles I2 and a plu'- rality of pivotally mounted container supporting members I4 arranged to receive and discharge containers ina vertical or upright position with relation to the carrier I0 and adapted to be moved to present the containers into radial alignment with their respective cleaning nozzles during the continuous rotation of the carrier I0.

The containers I6 to be cleaned are supplied to the machine by a conveye'r belt I8 which, as herein shown,l may be extended to also receive and convey the cleaned containers being discharged from the machine. As bestshown in Fig. 3 the conveyor belt I8 is arranged to run over sprockets Z0, 22 and is arranged to be driven through connectionsy from the main driving motor 24 including a belt connection 26 to a shaft 28, speed reduction unit 30, and a sprocket and chain connection 32 to the sprocket shaft 34.

Provision is madetfor controlling the feed of the containers whereby to present successive containers in position tolbe received by their respective supporting members I4 in timed relation to the movement of the rotary carrier. As illustrated in Figs. 1, :2V and 3 the containers being conveyed bythe belt i8 are arranged to be transfer-red therefrom by a rotary container feeding mechanism, indicated generally at 36, which is bers I4.

The rotary member 42 is fast on a hollow shaft 48 rotatably mounted onV a Vertical stationary shaft, and the pusher fingers 38 are pivotally mounted between the spaced flanges of the rotary member 42,- as best'shown in Fig. 3. The pivotal fingers 38 are fast upon -pins 52 journaled in the j spaced flanges, and provision is made foriroclring the Vlingersr from Atheir extended position to a retracted position when the container has been advanced onto an individual supporting member being carried past the same. As illustrated in Fig. 2 the retracti-ng movement of the fingers 38 is, effected by a stationaryl cam 54 fast on the upper end of the vertical shaft 50. Each pusher llger is provided with a cam lever 55A which carries, an cam roll 58, arranged to cooperate with the 4 ber. Each finger may also be provided with a spring, not shown, arranged to hold its cam roll in cooperative engagement with the cam 54.

The container feeding mechanism 36 is arranged to be driven through connections from the main driving shaft 28 including a worm and worm gear connection 622 to a vertical shaft 64 which is provided at its upper end with a sprocket 66. The sprocket te is connected by a chain 68 to a sprocket 'I0 secured to a hollow shaft or bushing I2 rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 'I4. The bushing 'I2 extends through the frame member I6 and is provided at its lower end with a flanged member T8 forming part of a separable driving mechanism normally engaged but which is adapted to slip out of operative engagement in the eventI that the feeding mechanism should encounter abnormal resistance. The flanged member 'i8 is provided with a notch 8d which is adapted to be engaged by a tooth 82 provided on a dislr 84 rotatable with but vertically slidable upon the shaft 14. A coil spring 85 normally holds the disk 8f4 in operative engagement to drive the shaft 'I4 but if a jam occurs, the tooth 82 will slip out of the notch 30 and lower the disk against the resistance of the spring 3a. The upper end of the vertical shaft I4 is provided with a gear til which meshes with a gear fast on the hollow shaft 48 upon which the rotary member 42 is mounted. Thus in the operation of the machine the rotaryv feeding mechanism 36 is rotated at a uniform rate of speed in timed relation to the movement of the rotary carrier IU.

In the operation of the machine, the containers I6 are manually placed on the conveyor i8 by the operatorin more or less irregularly spaced relation and in order to register successive containers with the container engaging lingers 38 provision is made for engaging and releasing successive foremost containers in timed relation to themovement of the rotary feeding mecha- Yriisrn 36.y As herein shown, a star-wheel 92 is rotatably mounted adjacent the conveyor and is provided with a plurality of equally spaced teeth 94 arranged to enter between successive containers as they are delivered and to release such containers in timed relation to the arrival of the container pusher lingers 38. The continuously moving conveyor I8 is preferably arranged to travel at a slightly greater speed than the starwheel 92 so that when the containers are placed upon the conveyer I8 by the operator at a substantially uniform rate and in a relatively closely spaced relation the containers are permitted to come together in contiguous relation when held back by the relatively slower moving star-wheel, thus disposing themselves in operative position to be engaged between successive containers by successive teeth of the star-wheel.

In accordance with the present invention. in order to assure the retention of a small group or reservoir of containers in contiguous relation and in operative position to be properly engaged bythe star-'wheel when an appreciable lag occurs between successive containers. provision is made for controlling the operation of the starwfheeT in accordance with the presence or absence of a container at a point spaced from said star-wheel. As herein shown, the star-wheel 92 is arranged to be driven in timed relation to the feeding mechanism 36 through connections from a second sprocket 95 formed integrally with the sprocket lll. The sprocket 96 is connected by a chain 58 to a sprocket It!) fast on a vertical shaft cam 54 during the rotation of the feeding inem- 75 IDZ. A second sprocket |04 fast on the shaftv 62 is connected by a chain |06 to a sprocket |08 secured to a shaft ||0. The shaft ||0 is connected by bevel gears ||2, ||4 to a shaft ||6 which is connected by a chain and sprocket drive ||8 to an elongated shaft |20.

Referring now to Figs. 3, 4 and 6, the shaft |20 is provided with a separable connection comprising a solenoid-operated clutch having a driving member |22 keyed to the shaft |20 and a driven member |24 keyed to a hollow shaft or bushing |26 rotatably mounted on the shaft |20. The driven member |24 is provided with a pinion |28 formed integrally therewith for cooperation with a gear |30 keyed to a sleeve |32 fast on an intermediate shaft |34. In order to permit a change of speed to conform to the speed of a different machine that may be employed a second pinion |36 is formed integrally with the hollow shaft |26 and is arranged to cooperate with a gear |38 formed integrally with the gear |30, the gear unit |30, |33 being longitudinally adjustable on the sleeve |32. The other end of the intermediate shaft |34 is provided with a gear |40 arranged to mesh with a gear |42 formed integrally with a bevel gear |44. rIhe integral gear unit |42, |44 is rotatably mounted on a stationary bushing |46 carried by the casing or gear box |48 and which forms a bearing for the shaft |26, rotatably mounted therein. The bushing |46 is provided with a flanged portion |50 and may be held from rotating in the casing by a pin |52 extending through the ange and into the casing. A collar |54 may be provided on the shaft |20 to retain the gear unit in operative position as shown. The bevel gear |44 is arranged to mesh with a bevel gear |56 fast on the lower end of a vertical shaft to which the starwheel 92 is attached. Thus, in operation, it will be observed that the star-wheel is rotated to release successive containers in timed relation to the operation of the cleaning machine.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and "I, the driven member |24 of the solenoid-operated clutch is provided with a plunger |60 slidingly mounted therein and having a lateral projection |62 arranged to be received in a slotted portion |64 of the driving member |22 to operatively engage the the clutch. The plunger |60 is normally held in its engaged or driving position by springs |66 as clearly shown in Fig. 5. is disengaged by pressing the plunger inwardly against the action of the springs |66 at which time the engaging portion |62 is forced out of the slot |66, as shown in 6 permitting the driving member |22 to continue to rotate with the projection |62 within the flanged portion |61 of the driving member |22.

Provision is made for automatically disengaging the clutch to discontinue the release of containers into the machine upon the depletion of containers at a point spaced from the star-wheel 92 and as best shown in Fig. 3, the clutch may be disengaged by a solenoid |63, actuated by a mercury switch |16 disposed adjacent the conveyer and spaced from said star-wheel. The

`iercury switch |10 is arranged to close the circuit to the solenoid |60 when a container is absent at said spaced point. The solenoid is provided with an armature |12 connected by a link lifi to a bell crank pivoted at |16 and forming of a toggle |18 conected to a member |80 slidably supported in the casing. The slidable member |80 carries a roller |82 at its inner end which is arranged to engage the angular sur- 2face |04 of the extended portion of the plunger In operation, the clutch 6 when urged inwardly by the solenoid |68. A spring |86 normally holds the roller |02 in an inoperative position until actuated by the solenoid.

The container-actuated mercury switch |10 is supported in an arm |86 fast on a horizontal shaft |90 connected to a vertical shaft |02 by bevel gears |94, |96. A feeler arm |90 attached to the upper end of the vertical shaft |02 is arranged in the path of the containers and may be adjusted with relation to the mercury switch to effect rocking lthereof to close the circuit to the solenoid |68 and effect disengagement of the clutch when the supply of containers is depleted as detected by the feeler arm. As shown in Fig. 3, the solenoid |68 and mercury switch |10 form part of a circuit indicated at |19 for automatically controlling the clutch as described.

In order to positively stop the star-wheel 92 in position to block the conveyor |0 provision is made for bringing the driven member |24 of the clutch to rest at a predetermined point in its revolution. As herein shown, the further end of the plunger |60 is provided with an extension 200 arranged to be engaged in a slot 202 formed in an arm 204 when the plunger is depressed as shown in Fig. 6. The arm 204 is pivoted at 206, as shown in Fig. 3, and is urged into operative engagement with the clutch by a spring 20B.

It is to be understood that the gear ratio between the clutch member |24 and the star-wheel 92 will be such that one complete revolution of the member |24 will cause the star-wheel to rotate through an angle equal to an even multiple of the angle between adjacent points 94. Thus, one complete revolution of the driven member |24 will always position one of the points 94 in a predetermined position relative to the conveyor I3. In this manner stopping of the driven member |24 in a predetermined position, as described above, will always result in stopping the star-wheel 92 with one of its points 94 in a predetermined position. Such a gear ratio will exist when pinion |28 is in mesh with gear |60 and also when pinion |36 is in mesh with gear 'l 38. In like manner gear ratio between the driving member |22 of the clutch and the transfer wheel 36 will be such that one complete revolution of the member |22 will result in an angular rotation of the wheel 36 equal to an even multiple of the angle between adjacent fingers 38 so that, when the member |22 is in a given position of rotation, one of the fingers 38 will always be at a predetermined location relative to the lconveyor I8. In addition to the above-described gear ratios, it will be necessary that the overall gear ratio between star-wheel 92 and transfer wheel 36 be the same as the ratio of the number of points on the wheel 92 to the number of arms so 38 on'the wheel 36. By maintaining the abovedescribed gear ratio relationships it will be apparent that re-engagement of the clutch mem- 4ber will always start the star-wheel 02 in proper From the description thus far it will be observed that, in operation, when the supply of containers is depleted or an appreciable space lag between containers occurs at a point spaced from the releasing mechanism, the latter is automatically stopped at a predetermined point in its revolution whereby to. provide a group of con. tiguous containers in operative relation thereto and that the releasing mechanism will again be started in operation to release successive containers in timed relation to the transferring mechanism when an additional supply of containers is provided, or, when the lagging or irregularly spaced containers are moved up into contiguous relation, as described. It will also be observed that this expedient eliminates the necessity for shutting down the entire machine to prevent a jam at the star-wheel thus permitting those containers which have been transierred into the machine to continue through and pass cn to subsequent machines in the line.

In Fig. 8, the present invention is illustrated as embodied in a container filling machine comprising a rotarybottle filling machine oi the type illustrated and describedv in the United States patent to Everett, No. 2,136,421 issued November l5, 1938. In the operation of such iilling machines the containers are transferred from the continuously moving incoming conveyer 2li! to successive platforms 2I2 of a rotary lling device indicated generally at 2M by a continuously rotating spider 2l6 operated in timed relation to the lling machine.

In such machines it will be observed that the containers are conveyed in contiguous relation to be engaged by succesive teeth Els of the spider 2&5, and, in order to avoid jamming when a relatively large space occurs between containers the machine may be provided with a container-- actuated and solenoid-operated releasing mechanism indi-cated generally at 22! and including a star-wheel 222v similar to the releasing mechanism embodied in the cleaning machine, as above described. In the present embodiment of the invention, the elongated shaft 224 may be driven through a chain and sprocket connection, indicated generally at 226, from the main driving shaft 5l of the lling machine to operate the star-wheel 222' in timed relation to the operation of the iill-ing machine. In operation, when the container-actuated switch 223 is rocked to indicate thatl the containers are depleted at a point spaced from thestar-wheel 222, the solenoid 230 is energized to eiect disengagement of the clutch 232 thus stopping the star-wheel. The provision oiadditional containers will again start the starwheelin motion, asv above described.

Fig. 9 illustrates a similar application of the invention.Y asembodied in a closure applying machine of theI type illustrated in the United States patent to Everett No. 2,082,048 issued June 1, 1937, for Applying screw closures or caps to containers. In the operation of such` closure applying machines the containers are carried in succession into the machine by an incoming conveyer 23,4' and' are transferred to successive gripping members 235' by a rotary spider 23S. The releasingv mechanism 24a including the starwheel 262 is arranged toA be driven in timed relation to the machine through suitable driving connections indicatede generally at 24M from the closure applyingV machine to the elongated shaft The solenoid-operated clutch, indicated generallyv at 241i; and the mercury switch detecting mechanism 25,3l may and preferably willl comprisemechanism; similar ta` that described above.

While the preferred embodiment oiinvention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l.. In a container handling machine adapted for continuous operation, in combination, a container supply conveyor, releasing mechanism adapted to engage and release successive contiguous containers on said conveyer in timed relation to the operation of the machine, and control means including a container-actuated member spaced from and operatively connected to said releasing mechanism for starting and stopping the same in accordance with the presence or absence of a container on the conveyor at said spaced point whereby to permit continuous operation of the container handling machine, and means associatedv with said releasing mechanism arranged to bring the same to rest in a predetermined and xed position, said last-named means assuring subsequent starting of said releasing mechanism in synchronism with the machine.

2. In a container handling machine adapted for continuous operation, in combination, a container supply conveyor, releasing mechanism adapted to engage and release successive contiguous containers on said conveyer in timed relation to the operation of the machine, driving means includingv a clutch operatively connected to saidv releasing mechanism, and control means including a container-actuated member spaced from said releasing mechanism and operatively connected to said clutch arranged to start and stop the releasing mechanism in accordance with the presence or absence of a container on the conveyer at said spaced point whereby to permit continuous operation of the container handling machine, and means cooperating with said clutch arranged to bring the releasing mechanism to rest in a predetermined and Xed position, said last-named means assuring subsequent starting of said releasing mechanism in synchronism with the machine.

3. In a container handling machine adapted for continuous operation, in combination, a continuously operated supply conveyer upon which the containers may be placed in irregularly spaced relation, a registering wheel having spaced points arranged to enter between successive contiguous containers and to release them in timed relation to the operation of the machine, means for driving said conveyor at a relatively faster rate than said registering wheel to permit relatively closely spaced containers to be brought into contiguous relation by said continuously moving conveyor, means for controlling the rotation of said registering wheel in accordance with the presence or absence oi a container at a point spaced from the wheel, said control means including a container-actuated member spaced from and operatively connectedV to the wheel arranged tol stop the rotation of the latter when an abnormal. space occurs between containers at said spaced point and to start the wheel in operation when a container arrives at said spaced point, andv associated with said: wheel arranged to bring the same to rest in a predeterminedk position, said last-named means assuring subsequent starting of said registering wheel inv synchronism withV said machine.

4.. In a container; handlingmacbine. in comybination, a container supply conveyer, continuously operating rotary transfer mechanism arranged to transfer successive containers from said conveyer into the machine, a registering wheel having spaced points arranged to enter between successive contiguous containers and to release them in timed relation to the operation of said transfer mechanism, and control meansincluding a container-actuated member spaced from and operatively connected to said registering wheel arranged to start and stop the same in accordance with the presence or absence of a container on the conveyer at said spaced point while permitting continuous operation of said rotary transfer mechanism, and means associated with said registering Wheel arranged to bring the same to rest in a definite position, said lastnamed means assuring subsequent starting of said registering wheel in synchronism with the transfer mechanism.

5. In a container handling machine adapted for continuous operation, in combination, a continuously operating container supply conveyer, a registering wheel adapted to engage and release successive contiguous containers on said conveyer in timed relation to the operation of the machine, driving means including a clutch operatively connected to said registering wheel, said clutch having a driving and a driven member and a spring pressed member for effecting engagement thereof, control means including a container-actuated member spaced from said registering wheel and operatively connected to said clutch to effect depression of said spring pressed member and disengagement of the clutch when a container is absent from the conveyer at said spaced point, and a stop arm arranged to engage an extended end of said spring pressed member upon disengagement of the clutch to bring the registering wheel to rest in a definite position, said last-named means assuring subsequent starting of said registering wheel in synchronism with said machine.

6. In a container handling machine adapted for continuous operation, in combination, a continuously .operating container supply conveyer, a registering wheel adapted to engage and release successive contiguous containers on said conveyer in timed relation to the operation of the machine, driving means including a clutch operatively connected to said registering wheel and having a spring pressed dog for effecting engagement thereof, control meanscomprising an electrical circuit having e, solenoid operated member adapted for cooperation with said dog, and a container-actuated switch spaced from said registering wheel arranged to be closed to energize said solenoid and eiect disengagement of the clutch when a container is absent at said spaced point, and a stop arm arranged to engage an extended end of said dog upon disengagement of the clutch to bring the registering Wheel to rest in a denite position, said last-named means assuring subsequent starting of said registering wheel in synchronism with said machine.

7. In a container handling machine adapted for continuous operation, in combination, a container supply conveyor, releasing mechanism adapted to engage and release successive contiguous containers on said conveyor in timed relation to the operation of the machine, said machine and releasing mechanism being connected by positive drive means disconnectable from said releasing mechanism, and control means including a container-actuated member spaced from and operatively connected to said drive means to disconnect said releasing mechanism from said drive means for stopping only said releasing mechanism in accordance with the presence or absence of a container on the conveyor at said spaced point, said releasing mechanism being subsequently connectable to said drive means only when in predetermined relation thereto.

ARTHUR CLARENCE EvERETr.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,568,082 Mitton Jan. 5, 1926 1,848,827 Fink et a1 Mar.. 8, 1932 1,963,083 Fink et al. June 19, 1934 2,082,048 Everett June 1, 1937 2,097,076 Nelson Oct. 26, 1937 2,246,582 Gantzer June 24, 1941 2,354,308 Everett July 25, 1944 2,368,738 Bergmann Feb. 6, 1945 

